Your latest proof is Wednesday afternoon's game in Houston.
With the score tied 1-1 in the ninth, it was Matt Guerrier who became the latest reliever to blow it as the Astros got a run to take the game, 2-1. The Dodgers dropped two of three to the Astros. It sure seems like they drop two of three to everybody these days.
Ted Lilly was the starter, and on the first he pitch he threw, Michael Bourn deposited it into right for a solo shot and 1-0 lead. I'm guessing that's not the way Lilly wanted to make an impression, especially considering that Bourn hadn't hit a homer all year. Until now.
The Dodgers couldn't get anything going at the plate for much of the game. In the fifth, Dioner Navarro reached on a bunt leading off. Aaron Miles singled an out later to put two on. Lilly's sacrifice got them to scoring position, but Rafael Furcal, who's 1-for-18 since coming back from a broken thumb, grounded out to end it.
Thankfully Matt Kemp took matters into his own hands to tie the game in the sixth. With two down, he cranked his 12th homer of the season to left. He was the lone bright spot on this day by going 3-for-4 to increase his average to .317.
Mike MacDougal relieved Lilly and pitched a scoreless seventh. After the Dodgers wasted a double by Kemp in the eighth (shocking), Javy Guerra got through the heart of the order with ease to set it up for the ninth.
The Dodgers' offense played very inspired ball in the ninth by going down in order. Guerrier has pitched well this year, but not on this day. Brett Wallace doubled with one down to start the rally. Bill Hall then flew out to make it two down.
What happened next really wasn't a surprise. The way I look at it, if the Dodgers were a winning team, they would've sent that game to extra innings. But they're not, so right on cue, J.R. Towles hit a walk-off single. That's the way things are going for the boys in blue.
If you're Lilly, you're happy with how you battled after starting the game with a homer. He lasted six innings for six hits, one run, one walk, and two strikeouts. He's been fighting himself all season for consistency, but after this effort, that's two good starts in a row, and three of the last four. His ERA is slowly creeping down to 4.41.
If you're the offense, you're once again guilty of letting the team down. I know Andre Ethier was relegated to pinch-hitting duty, and that does make a difference. But if you take away Kemp's three hits, the rest of the team went 3-for-28. Holy crap! I don't care who's in there, that's just plain sad.
Plus, they were facing some guy named Aneury Rodriguez. He entered this game with a 5.72 ERA. Nothing against him, but if you're getting shut down by him for only one run in six innings, that's really pathetic. Not surprising, but still pathetic.
I'm not sure what else can even be said about the offense that hasn't already been said. Raffy is certainly better than the slump he's in, but if he's not hitting, that's no different than when he was out. James Loney and his .238 average was hitting in the #3 spot. Jay Gibbons and his .200 average was hitting fifth. That says it all right there.
It's a good thing Thursday is an off day. One, the team can use it to get home and unwind. Two, Ethier should be able to come back after getting some rest after crashing into the wall in Chicago on Sunday. At least we can hope he's back and swinging a healthy bat.
Friday starts a three-game set against the Marlins. The Fish are an impressive 27-19 and hanging right behind the Phillies in the NL East. In other words, this won't be an easy series. Jon Garland gets the call in the first game.
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